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THE VOICE OF BICYCLISTS IN MAINE
SUMMER 2012
Bicycle Benefits Program Aims to Increase
Number of Bicycle Commuters
The idea behind Bicycle Benefits is simple. To encourage individuals’ commitment
to cleaner air, personal health and a more sustainable community, businesses offer a
financial benefit for customers who bike to their shop or restaurant. All the biker has to
do is purchase a helmet sticker at a participating business, place it on their helmet and keep riding. What
could be better than receiving a financial benefit for
something you already love to do?
The Bicycle Benefits program rolled into Portland in
April and has quickly grown to include over 30 businesses. Each business can choose their own benefit
and are encouraged to make the discount equivalent
to at least 10% of a purchase. At Flatbread, you can
receive $1 off a Portland brewed beer; at Gorham Bike
& Ski, $2 off a tube; and at Bam Bam Bakery, enjoy
a free cookie with every purchase. Many businesses
offer a straight 10% discount off a purchase.
Jamie Wright, Owner of Gorham
Bike & Ski, shows off the helmet
sticker for the Bicycle Benefits
program.
When you speak to Ian Klepetar, the Director of Bicycle Benefits, it is no surprise businesses are eager to join the program. His enthusiasm and passion for the program is
infectious. His success is due to a long time dedication to making the world a better place
for cycling. Ian has been a bike safety advocate since college. Ian explains, “After hearing
about a few tragic bicycling accidents, I knew I needed to do something.”
In his hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY, Ian began a grass-roots campaign
to raise awareness around bicycle safety. It started
with meetings to discuss the issues
and grew to promoting better bike
paths in the city and ‘Bike to School’ days. Wanting to continue and grow his
work, Ian researched how other cities were promoting biking.
Salt Lake City had a discount program for cyclists and Ian was intrigued by the
possibilities. After his work in Saratoga Springs, he felt many people don’t
bike because they are afraid of commuting in traffic or don’t recognize the
benefits to themselves and to the environment. Providing financial incentives,
Ian thought, may get people on their bike for a short trip to their local market.
Hopefully, getting comfortable with a small trip might lead to longer rides and
a more bike-oriented lifestyle.
Ian tried the program in Saratoga but the infrastructure was not in place to
support the program. “The business community has to be invested to make
Bicycle Benefits work.”
After meeting Nicole Freedman who started Hubway in Boston a bicycle sharing program and is now the new Executive Director of Maine Huts and Trails,
Ian felt that city would be more receptive to the Bicycle Benefits program. He
had great success in Boston with a multitude of businesses easily accessible on
bike. After 4 months, over 50 businesses had agreed to be part of the program.
After the success in Boston, Ian has traveled (by bike of course) to cities all
across the country including Gainesville, FL, Minneapolis, MN, Austin, TX,
Topeka, KS and even British Columbia to promote Bicycle Benefits. Ian stays in
each city about 3 or 4 months. “My goal is for each program to be self-sustaining. I want to know the program will keep working after I leave so I create a
strong base of businesses and encourage the community to keep it going.”
continued on page 5 X
in this issue
THE RIDE
Cycling Savvy Comes to Maine
BikeMaine Update
Governor LePage Recognizes Coalition
Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants
New Coalition Jersey Now Available
2
3
6
7
10
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COMPONENTS
Board President’s Message: Proud But Not Satisfied
4
Executive Director Column: Federal Legislation Update 5
For Fat Tire Folk: Bringing Tech to the Mountains
10
Ask the Experts: Beginner’s Guide to Gearing
11
Yellow Jersey Club: Local Brewer Bruce Forsley
15
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CyclingSavvy
Comes to Maine
CyclingSavvy’s motto, “Empowerment for
Unlimited Travel,” expresses perfectly the
goal of providing cyclists the skills and
knowledge to go confidently anywhere
they need to go, which has become my
own mission.
-- John Brooking, Instructor
by John Brooking Member of Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Board of Directors
I have always appreciated the benefits of bicycle transportation, but I have not always done
it. Although I used my bike to get around quite a bit as a teenager and through college, the
logistics of post-college life and career in a large city led me back to the usual American car-based
existence for about 10 years. I still wanted a greener commute, but it was difficult to know how to
accomplish it.
sites for the tour. During the tour, the group rides to a series of “features”,
stopping at each to discuss it, and allowing each person to try it on their
own after first observing the instructor navigate the same challenge. The
prior classroom learning and skills development provide the foundation for
students to experience, in a real-world situation that yes, they can do this!
In 2002, a move to Westbrook put me within 6 miles of my workplace in South Portland. After
confirming there was no direct public transportation route between the two towns, I decided this
was my opportunity to try commuting by bike. I was a little apprehensive about the traffic, and
didn’t really know how to handle it beyond a vague sense that I was supposed to obey the same
rules as car drivers. But, I was determined to give it a try.
CyclingSavvy is the cycling education curriculum I’ve always wanted
to teach. CyclingSavvy’s motto, “Empowerment for Unlimited Travel,”
expresses perfectly the goal of providing cyclists the skills and knowledge
to go confidently anywhere they need to go, which has become my own
mission. No one can promise that traffic cycling will always be as pleasant
as “a Sunday ride in the park” (you are going to work or running errands,
after all), but we do promise the tools to make you feel confident when
there’s no way around that challenging section of road.
I started investigating best practices for riding in traffic and slowly became more confident, but I
still had specific questions. My quest for information eventually led me to the League of American
Bicyclists “Road 1” course (now “Traffic Skills 101”). After taking the class, I decided to become
a League Cycling Instructor. After my own experience, I felt there was a place for traffic cycling
education in Maine. Many people experience fear and uncertainty about cycling around traffic
and rather than see them get discouraged, I want to empower them with the knowledge and
skills they need to commute confidently on their bike.
In 2009 I discovered the Commute Orlando website, and got to know the author, Keri Caffrey.
I appreciated the site’s focus on transportational biking, and sensible approach to safe cycling
on all kinds of streets. In 2010, she and Mighk Wilson, the Orlando Bicycle/Pedestrian Program
Coordinator, unveiled a brand new cycling curriculum, “CyclingSavvy”. Whereas the League’s
courses teach general cycling skills and include a section on road safety, CyclingSavvy focuses on
addressing the traffic challenge for the in-town transportation cyclist. Eliminating topics that may
be tangential to that type of cyclist, such as repair skills (often taught by bike shops) and longer
distance recreational riding, leaves more time in a single course for that big concern, traffic.
The full course sequence is approximately 9 hours long, with roughly equal length sessions of
classroom discussion (utilizing animations and video), skills development, and an experiential
on-bike tour. The classroom and skills sessions may be taken standalone, but are both prerequiPAGE 2
www.bikemaine.org
Michie, a student in our August 2011 class, writes “The course was excellent in that it affirmed things I already knew, clarified things I was unsure
about, and clearly explained my rights and responsibilities as a cyclist. I’ve
been putting into practice all that I learned.” Diane wrote, “I took the first
southern Maine classes this weekend and loved it. Interesting, informative
and fun. I learned a lot that will serve me well, got motivated to be on my
bike more regularly, met some nice people and learned of other opportunities for bicycling fun that I plan to pursue.”
The full 3-session sequence will be offered once each in Portland, South
Portland, and Westbrook, with additional standalone Train Your Bike skills
sessions, from June through October. The schedule, with links to register,
may be found at www.CyclingSavvy.org/maine. The skills session by itself
is perfect for anyone who feels uncertain on their bike, even if they don’t
feel ready or interested to “take it on the road”. If you are someone who
would like to bike more but feels uncertain in traffic, the full course is for
you. And please, tell your friends about us!
Summer 2012
Mars Hill
M
T
BikeMaine Ride Planning Continues,
Chamberlain
Lake
First Grant Funding Received
Houlton
N
Chesuncook
by Mark Ishkanian Chair of BikeMaine Committee
Lake
developing ride logistics. The first ride is scheduled to take place September 7-14, 2013.
Millinocket
Jackman
C
Greenville
A
K en n e bec
Flagstaff
Lake
Dover-Foxcroft
Dexter
Newport
Skowhegan
rmington
Waterville
Augusta
Orono
A Canadian bicycle group, Velo Quebec, recently announced that Maine will be the site for their “Grand Tour” in 2013.
This week-long
ride takes place in August and alternates each year among eastern Canadian provinces and several
Bangor
northeastern US states. The 2013 tour will be the first time the ride will occur in Maine and it will mark their 25th
year. Ride organizers expect 2,000 mostly Canadian cyclists to participate and believe that Maine will be a very
Bucksport
Ellsworth
attractive destination for their riders. Ishkanian and Coalition Executive Director, Nancy Grant, have had productive
conversations with Velo Quebec to both offer details about biking in Maine to the Canadian planners and to learn
Belfast
from experts about staging suchBar
a ride.
Harbor
Desert
Camden“The success of Velo Quebec’sMt
Grand
Tours and their strong record of participation demonstrates the potential for
Island
our BikeMaine ride,” Ishkanian said. “We see Velo Quebec as both a partner for cycling tourism and a teacher on how
Rockland
to organize such a large scale rolling event. We don’t consider them competitors as they will be visiting Maine only
occasionally as they move their ride around Canada and the northeast.”
b sc
f
About a dozen Coalition members have volunteered to assist the Ride Committee in organizing the first ride. If you
would like to be involved, please contact the Committee at bikemaine@bikemaine.org.
B
ot
ay
Portland
ok
Bath
“The preliminary discussions we have had with foundations and businesses about this new ride have been very
positive,” said Mark Ishkanian, BikeMaine Ride Committee Chair, “and we’re very pleased with the confidence these
funders have shown in our ride and its great potential as a signature cycling and community event.”
Pe no
Brunswick
River
Lewiston
uburn
95
A critical initial task is securing
grant and sponsorship funding to help cover the start up costs of this new event. BCM
Macwahoc
Moosehead
is pleased to announce the Betterment Foundation has approved a two-year grant, the Horizon Foundation and the
Lake
Elmina B. Sewall Foundation have each approved one-year grants and the Maine Office of Tourism has approved a
grant toLincoln
cover first year marketingTopsfield
expenses. With these grants in place, the Coalition is on-track to have secured the
necessary start-up funding by July 1. The organization is also talking to select businesses for sponsorship of the ride.
Penob
scot
Riv
er
H
IA
Mt KatahdinPlanning is well underway for the first annual BikeMaine, the Coalition’s 7-day ride exploring different parts of Maine
5267each year. The Ride Committee is researching the inaugural route, meeting with potential host communities and
G
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The Coalition expects to announce the inaugural ride route in late 2012 and begin taking reservations by early 2013.
Saco
Freeport Store’s Impressive Bike to Work Week Efforts Benefit the Coalition
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is incredibly grateful for and would like to recognize the outstanding
efforts of the team at the Patagonia Outlet in Freeport during Bike to Work Week. Every year during Bike
to Work Week, each Patagonia store across the country chooses a local bike advocacy group to work with
- encouraging staff to bike to work and educating customers on the benefits of cycling. In addition,
each mile the staff rides during the week equals a dollar raised for the advocacy group. This year, the
Patagonia Outlet store in Freeport chose the Coalition as their beneficiary.
The Freeport Patagonia crew, a total of 18 staff including full and part time and seasonal employees,
rode a collective 1,108 miles during the week! All staff rode every day they were scheduled with one
exception. The missed commute was unavoidable due to a tight Mother’s Day brunch schedule!
The Freeport store will very likely be nationally recognized as the store with the highest daily average
commute. The longest commute for the Freeport shop was 114 miles round trip from Lovell and the
average commute of employees was 40 miles round trip.
The Coalition is honored to be working with such a dedicated staff of bikers. Great work Patagonia Crew
and keep on biking!
Summer 2012
www.bikemaine.org
The Patagonia Crew from left to right: Curtis White, Lauren Cochenour,
Scott Overbey, Bree Simmons, Deb Gorman, Amy Grant-Trefethen,
Aaron Holmberg.
PAGE 3
From the President
Board of Directors
Proud But Not Satisfied
At this time of the year, when there are is a greater number of cyclists on the roads
and trails of our state, I become increasingly aware of the great opportunities the
Bicycle Coalition of Maine has to share our message about safe cycling. While it is
inspiring to see so many people enjoying cycling, to ensure safety for all cyclists
there needs to be greater awareness and practice of safe cycling. I am proud the
Coalition has played a role in increasing the number of bikers but it occurs to me this
accomplishment also increases our responsibility and the urgency to educate riders
about best safety practices. Recently, I have been particularly stunned by the lack of
common sense and knowledge about bike laws that people demonstrate on the roads
and trails.
I am sure you know exactly what I am referring to. However, as Coalition members,
instead of just being frustrated, we should consider these situations as an opportunity to act. What should we do when
confronted with the cyclist who is riding with earbuds and is therefore deprived of one of our most important senses in being aware of traffic? Or the rider who is out after dusk, wearing dark clothing with no reflectors or identifying lights? What
about the person who is riding without a helmet?
I have asked people why they are riding without helmets, to be told they aren’t going fast enough to fall off a bike. When I
point out that even at very slow speeds a fall from a few feet above normal height can still be dangerous, I often get a shrug.
But I hope they will reconsider my message later.
President
Larry Rubinstein Scarborough
Vice President
Mark Ishkanian Readfield
Treasurer
John Wright Woolwich
Secretary
Nancy Stowell White Hanover
David Auclair Augusta
John Balicki Brunswick
John Brooking Westbrook
Phil Coffin Carrabassett Valley
Pamela Fischer New Gloucester
Peter Hall Falmouth
Charley LaFlamme, Founder Moody
Dana McEwan Portland
Laurie McReel Oakland
Dean Read Bar Harbor
Fred Robie Freeport
Joel Savilonis Auburn
Jane Self Camden
Advisory Board
Kathryn Buxton
Buxton Communications
Gregg Collins
SW Collins Company
Dana Connors
Maine Chamber and Business Alliance
J. Scott Davis
Board of Overseers
What is particularly frustrating to me is when I see adults setting bad examples for their children. I often seen families riding
together where small children are wearing helmets and the adults are not. When I ask the adults why they aren’t wearing
helmets, they tell me the law states only that their children must. When I suggest they might be sending the wrong message to their children, I am often told it’s none of my business. But I know the seed of awareness has been planted.
Greg Dore
As advocates, we must speak up when we see unsafe choices. We may not want to take the time, or the audience may not
be receptive, but I encourage you to persevere and take the time to have a discussion. As they say, a small group of committed people can change the world.
Ed Miller
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has accomplished a great deal educating the riding and motoring public through our Bike and
Pedestrian Safety Education program, public service announcements, working with law enforcement officials and the myriad
of activities in which we participate. In our 20th year, we should be proud of where we are but not satisfied. I look forward
to working with you to continue making Maine a better place to cycle.
Skowhegan Road Commission
Jill Goldthwait
Jackson Lab
Mike Lydon
The Street Plans Collaborative
Brooklyn, NY
American Lung Association of Maine
John Melrose
Maine Tomorrow
Michael Povich
Vaughn Stinson
Maine Tourism Association
Will Thomas
Tri-Maine Productions
Eliza Townsend
Eric Weinrich, Yarmouth
Portland Pirates
Ellen Wells
Happy cycling,
Inland Hospital, Waterville
Staff
Nancy Grant
Executive Director
nancy@bikemaine.org
Jim Tasse
Larry Rubinstein, Board President
Education Director
jim@bikemaine.org
Anne Nadzo
Maine Cyclist is published by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a nonprofit organization working since 1992 to make Maine a better place to
bicycle. The coalition advocates for Maine cyclists at the Legislature and in Washington, D.C., teaches bicycle safety to thousands of Maine
schoolchildren each year, partners with state agencies on a Share the Road media campaign and serves as a resource on local bicycling issues.
Maine Cyclist is printed four times a year. Submissions of writing or artwork are encouraged and should be sent to the coalition at
PO Box 5275, Augusta, Maine 04332 or emailed to anne@bikemaine.org.
Darcy Whittemore
Central Maine Safe Routes Coordinator
saferoutes@bikemaine.org
Sarah Cushman
Southern Maine Safe Routes Coordinator
sarah@sarahcushman.com
Cecelia Garton
The coalition reserves the right to edit to fit budget and space requirements.
Office Manager
cecelia@bikemaine.org
Newsletter Team: Anne Nadzo, Editor and Melissa Arndt, Layout/Design
PAGE 4
Communications Coordinator
anne@bikemaine.org
www.bikemaine.org
Summer 2012
Federal Legislation Update
by Nancy Grant Executive Director
In the past year, the Bicycle Coalition and other Maine and
national groups have asked you to contact your US Congressional Representatives to support dedicated federal
funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs on numerous
occasions. Each time, your action to express the critical
need for funding was essential. After all your phone calls
and emails, where is the federal legislation now?
First, some background: Congress is supposed to pass a transportation law every
six years that includes categories and amounts of funding for states. The last law
expired in September 2009 and has been replaced with 10 short-term (3 - 6 month)
extensions to current law. Each time one extension is due to expire, without a new
bill, Congress has to pass another extension or risks shutting down the Department
of Transportation. As the deadline approaches, there is always a flurry of last minute
amendments and deal making. Over the last year, this has included several efforts to
eliminate dedicated funding for biking and walking.
The last extension passed in late March and covered the period from April 1 through
June 30. Currently (May 20th) the Transportation Bill is in conference, where the
Senate and House try to reach consensus on a bill. There is a possibility these
negotiations may extend into the lame duck session between the November election
and January 1st when the newly elected Congress takes over. If Congress does not
pass a transportation bill before November, the new Congress will need to start a new
transportation bill, and all the work to date will be wasted.
Why is dedicated funding important? Experience has shown that when there is no
dedicated federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs, state departments
of transportation tend not to spend transportation dollars on those areas. In Maine,
the current dedicated funding programs, i.e., Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), have been the
primary funding source for bike lanes, trails, multi-use paths, sidewalks and other
infrastructure all over the state.
It’s important to note that currently, only 1.5% of the total transportation budget is
geared toward bicycle and pedestrian programs. If we want to keep the momentum
around the bicycling movement going, we can’t afford to lose any of that funding.
Ironically, while some national lawmakers are trying to cut dedicated funding, a new
Princeton survey shows that the vast majority of Americans want federal funding for
biking and walking. The survey asked over 1,000 Americans if spending on sidewalks
and bikeways should be increased, decreased or stay the same. Eighty-three percent
supported maintaining or growing the federal funding that pays for sidewalks, bikeways and bike paths. These results cross numerous demographics, such as political
party, age, geography, and community type.
Furthermore, a couple of other recent studies have shown that “if you build it, they
will come.” Investment in bicycling and walking infrastructure results in huge changes:
reductions in traffic congestion and pollution, improvements in physical activity rates,
growth in downtown shopping districts, and cuts in time spent driving.
The first study focused on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP),
which dedicated $25 million to each of four US communities to demonstrate whether
investments in biking and walking infrastructure result in significantly higher levels
of walking and bicycling, and a reduction in vehicle miles. Over a three-year period,
2007 to 2010, the new infrastructure resulted in an average increase of 49% more
bicyclists and 22% more pedestrians.
A second study of 90 of the 100 largest cities in the U.S. looks at what variables make a
city bicycle-friendly. The most important factor affecting the number of cyclists is the
prevalence of bike paths. “Cities with a greater supply of bike paths and lanes have significantly higher bike commute rates—even when controlling for land use, climate,
socioeconomic factors, gasoline prices, public transport supply, and cycling safety.”
The more infrastructure there is to encourage biking, the more people bike and the
greater the public health, environmental, energy, and lifestyle benefits. Building
biking and walking infrastructure costs a fraction of other typical road and bridge
projects. Another benefit is these projects employ more people than other transportation projects, since they are more labor-intensive.
So, please be on the lookout for and respond to our future calls to action or continue
to advocate on your own by encouraging your representatives to take a look at these
studies. We need to convince our Congressional representatives that dedicated funding needs to be strengthened, not eliminated.
http://www.americabikes.org/2012survey
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ntpp/2012_report/
iii
http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/bikepaths.pdf
iv
http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2011/01/bike-lanes-create-more-jobs-than-other-road-projects/
i
ii
Bicycle Benefits
Wcontinued from page 1
Ian had biked through Portland a few times and had been encouraged by friends
to start Bicycle Benefits in the city. “I do research before traveling to a city to make
sure the program will be sustainable.” After reaching out to Whole Foods, Rosemont
Bakery and Local Sprouts, Ian admits the reaction was lukewarm but “since arriving
the response has been incredible.”
The first business to sign on was East End Cupcakes (receive a free cupcake with
purchase and a song or dance). Soon after, Gorgeous Gelato joined (20% off entire
purchase) and other businesses have quickly joined. Ian has been impressed by the
kindness of business owners and the community’s commitment to buying local. He
Summer 2012
has no doubt Bicycle Benefits will continue to grow when he leaves town.
Businesses can sign up for the program on Bicycle Benefit’s website (www.bicyclebenefits.org). There is a small fee to receive a start up package that includes 10 reflective
helmet stickers, which businesses then sell to bikers for a small profit. This keeps the
program beneficial for both the biker and the business.
Ian will leave town some time this summer but he is looking forward to coming back.
“The program has had so much success in Portland already. I expect when I visit again,
not only will the Portland program still be growing but there will be Bicycle Benefits
programs all over Maine.”
www.bikemaine.org
PAGE 5
Governor LePage Recognizes the Coalition’s 20th Anniversary
Governor LePage has formally recognized the work of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s founders, board members, staff, volunteers and members, in the statewide and
national bicycle advocacy movement. The Coalition appreciates this recognition and looks forward to building on these accomplishments for the next twenty years.
PAGE 6
www.bikemaine.org
Summer 2012
Recipients of Safe Routes to School
Mini-Grants Make a Little Go A Long Way
Arriving at school by bike on the first day of Walk and Bike to School Week at Pleasant
Hill School in Scarborough, a young first grader proudly but shyly walks straight to
a table to collect a green rubber shoe charm to add to his collection. His classmates,
some more boldly but all just as excited, follow his lead. Those who biked, purposefully
choose the charm depicting a biker and those who walk, choose the walking charm.
The mini-grants will support Pleasant Hill’s programs and purchases for Walk & Bike
to School events such as the ever-popular Walk & Wheel Wednesdays and the Mileage Club. Gianetta notes, “The prizes are small but a little recognition goes a long
way. The kids are proud of their accomplishments and it helps them understand
that being active is important.”
Betsy Gianetta, physical education teacher and coordinator of the Safe Routes to School
(SRTS) program at Pleasant Hill School confirms that students have a great sense of
pride about their prizes. “I have high school students coming back to show me their
necklaces made of charms they collected and have saved all these years.”
Each of the 21 recipients will be very creative with the use of their mini-grants.
At Pleasant Hill, Bike and Walk to School week culminated in a drawing for bike
helmets, reflectors and other small prizes. In the York School System, reflectors will
be purchased and handed out to middle and elementary school students who walk.
Kennebunk Elementary School will use their mini-grant to purchase an additional 3
bikes for their Bike Fleet for students’ to ride on the Eastern Trail.
The purchase of these prizes was supported through the Maine SRTS mini-grants program. “Since most of the Safe Routes work is not included in our school budgets, these
activities and the small prizes that make the activities a success would not be possible
without the mini-grants,” says Gianetta.
The mini-grants program was made possible through the federal Safe Routes to School
Program with the assistance of several local Healthy Maine Partnerships. Twentyone schools, including Pleasant Hill School, received $200-$500 to support projects
designed to encourage students and their families to safely walk and bicycle to school.
While less than $500 does not seem like a great deal of money for such a significant
goal, being able to purchase small incentives like shoe charms provide all kids need for
motivation to walk or bike to school.
Summer 2012
In addition to these prizes, the mini-grants will support activities such as bike
safety rodeos, Walking School Buses, and walking and bicycling field trips. The
mini-grants will help introduce students to a more active lifestyle and teach them
how to do it safely. “These mini-grant projects represent a collection of great ideas
and great need,” said Nancy Grant, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of
Maine. “Maine communities demonstrate tremendous creativity in their strategies
to improve safety for and encourage students to walk and bike to school– and that’s
what makes the Maine SRTS mini-grant program work so well.”
www.bikemaine.org
PAGE 7
Great Maine Bike Swaps Continue
to Break Records
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine played matchmaker to over 1,000 bikes this spring
at the annual Great Maine Bike Swaps in Orono and Portland. At both Swaps, there
were record-breaking sales and attendance. As always, it was wonderful to see
so many happy people ride away with their new bikes. In one instance, one bike
owner couldn’t bear to part with his bike when he got to the Swap and rode away,
reunited with his own bike!
Here are the numbers from both the
Orono and Portland Swaps:
t
t
t
t
PAGE 8
"UPUBMPG946 bicycles were sold, compared to 891 sold in 2011.
34 bicycle shops and outdoor activity organizations participated in the swaps.
"OJODSFEJCMF198 volunteers helped out at both swaps.
2,896 people attended the swaps!
www.bikemaine.org
Summer 2012
To Our Wonderful Volunteers – Thank You!
Volunteers from the Great Bike Swap in Orono. Committee members are listed in bold.
Adele St. Pierre
Alex French
Alexander Weinbaum
Barbara Fleck
Bob Bruce
Bob Lombardo
Carol Cuddy
Carol Gregory
Chris Hall
Craig Dawson
Dan Falloon
Dave Auclair
David Clement
David Fiacco
David Mahoney
Dean Read
Debrae Bishop
Donna Gilbert
Elizabeth Weiss
Eric DeSilva
Fiona Sorensen
Forrest Wentworth
Fred Robie
Gordon Hamilton
Herb Crosby
Hugh Evans
Isaiah Wilson
Jamie Coburn
Janette Landis
Jay Johnson
Jim Gilbert
Jim McCarthy
Jim Rose
Joe Stefano
Joel Savilonis
John Fink
John Gregory
John Wright
Keith Dean
Kevin Cuddy
Kim Robichaud
Kirsten Gagnon
Laura Lommler
Lauren Murphy
Laurie McReel
Melissa Cooledge
Mike Boyson
Molly MacLean
Patty Adams
Pete Phair
Ron Staschak
Ryan Perro
Sandra Johnson
Scott Johnson
Stan MacArthur
Taylor Merk-Wynne
Ted Warren
Terry Malmer
Tim Pitcher
Toby Wood
Will Raymond
Willis Beazley
Volunteers from the Great Bike Swap in Portland. Committee members are listed in bold.
Aaron Ortiz
Alan Mills
Alicia Soliman
Amanda Lynch
Andrew Fournier
April Powell
Armel Mugisha
Ben Berlew
Ben Lake
Bill Hall
Bill White
Bob Barrett
Bob O’Brien
Brian Allenby
Brian Danz
Bruce Kapner
Caitlin Lebel
Carla Carver
Carol Barber
Cody Knowlton
Connie Kinsman
Cookie Kalloch
Craig Dawson
Cynthia Kennett
Dana McEwan
Darcy Starett
Dave Auclair
Dave Jones
Summer 2012
Dave Kinsman
David McCarthy
David Pinkham
David Wood
Davis Carver
Dean Bingham
Dean Bryand
Deanna Backman
Derek Wilbraham
Dillon Gillies
Doug Dolan
Ed Roberts
Eli Wilson
Elise Boyson
Emery Jean De Dieu
Niyorugira
Emile Lugosch
Emily Helliesen
Emma Pope-Welch
Erin Kinsella
Ervil Kennett
Fred Robie
Gale McCarthy
Genevieve Leslie
Heather Chandler
Heather Sands
Henry Beeuwkes
Ingrid Swanson
Isaac Nicoll
Jacob Powers
Jamie Oliver
Jeanne McDonald
Jeanne Peckiconis
Jeff Chandler
Jeff Welt
Jeremy Bloom
Jill Duson
Jim Bucar
Joan Sarles
JoAnn Daigle
Joe Brunette
Joe Dony
Joel Savilonis
John Brooking
John Wright
Jonathan Sylvester
Judith Woodbury
Jules Nkengurutse
Julie Grant
Kaitlyn DiRenzo
Kalie Dunn
Karen Dunfey
Karina Carley
Katrina Zalenski
Keith McMullan
Kevin Sample
Kim Schutsky
Lesley Clunie
Linda Braley
Lindsay Clunie
Luke Fernandez
Maggie Stanley
Matthew Redman
Mattie Fowler
Meghan Emmons
Michael Lacourse
Michelle Smith
Mike Boyson
Mitch Lyons
Nancy White
Nathan Hagelin
Nathan Hills
Ned Brooks
Nick Sherman
Nicole O’Brien
Norm Patry
Pamela Fischer
Paul Duda
Paula Gillies
Pete Phair
Peter Duda
Peter Hall
Peter Robbins
Peter Wool
Ray Giglio
Rick Bernard
Rick Smart
Robert McChesney
Ron Staschak
Rosie Hartzler
Sarah Delage
Sarah Longley
Scott Fischer
Scott Reiner
Scott Turcotte
Shannon Belt
Sharon Wilbraham
Sheila Reiser
Steve Taylor
Thomas White
Tim Davis
Tony Barrett
Trina Emelander
Tucker Daniels
Tyler Kidder
Will Cunningham
Will Marks
William Simard
www.bikemaine.org
PAGE 9
For Fat Tire Folk: Bringing Tech to the Mountains
by Pete Phair Mountain Bike Enthusiast
There are lots of reasons why mountain biking is a
popular activity - great exercise, communing with nature, thrill seeking at its finest - but with the massive
onslaught of tech gadgets and on-line toys, even a
romp in the densest woods of Maine can be enhanced
with modern technology. There are hundreds of applications available on your smartphone that can turn
the world’s most efficient machine (the bicycle) into a modern day computer
game complete with non-virtual (that means REAL) sensory input.
Here are five smartphone apps that currently rate enough buzz to get a mention.
Bike Repair (Atomic Software, $3.99) This app categorizes mountain bike repair
into two sections: Guides and Problems. With 55 different repair guides and
73 common problem areas, including one for how to adjust for aches & pains
this app is one of the most thorough apps available. It’s a useful tool for repairs
ranging from basic (repairing a flat) to the fairly complex (hydraulic brake
repair). On a tablet computer, this app is great for the garage or basement repair
shop at home. Download to your phone and it’s great for the trail.
20th Anniversary
Jersey Now Available
for a Limited Time
To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine
partnered with Brunswick-based Atayne to design our Anniversary
Cycling Jersey. We whittled the choice down to three and held a
contest for the winning design, pictured here. This limited edition
jersey is now available for purchase on our website: www.bikemaine.org/store. Get yours today!
Cyclemeter (Abvio Inc., $4.99) The Cyclemeter tracks your time, location, distance, elevation and speed while riding and automatically monitors your progress. Compete against
your own previous workouts, or import and compete against other people. View graphs,
maps and calendars of your rides and then post them for others to see.
My Tracks (Google, free) Some
of the on-line reviews of this
app state that it can be glitchy
and may be inaccurate at times,
but for recording and sharing
GPS tracks while you run,
bike, hike, or do anything else
outdoors, it can be pretty cool.
It also gathers useful statistics
such as time, speed, distance,
and elevation. You can review
all of this data live, or you can
save it for use later. Like other
apps that tap into your smart
phone’s GPS, this app allows
you to plot waypoints and
there’s even a voice announcement feature you can use.
MapMyRide (MapMyFitness,
Inc. $1.99) I have used this app a few times to design and post road rides and I find it
incredibly easy to use. Personalize your rides with data tracking, mark hazards or cautions
on the trail, share with social media or include nutrition information for a complete workout experience. The best part is some of the basic features of this app are available for use
without purchasing the whole caboodle.
Bike Tracks (Core Coders Ltd., $2.99) This app looks awesome and the reviews, albeit
few, are quite positive. It has all the features of other cycling computer apps with some
remarkable additions like a slope angle feature and an animated preview option. It is set
up for splits, terrain mapping and can be used as a traditional cycle computer mount with
neat dashboard display or track while riding in a saddle bag or backpack.
Use these apps at some of the great upcoming summer MTB events. Be sure to check with
your local bike shop, bike club or NEMBA chapter for other events happening this summer.
Here’s a partial listing from the Coalition’s Event Calendar (www.bikemaine.org/events):
June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22: Maine Youth Mountain Bike Series,
Falmouth Community Park, Falmouth, ME
July 15: Maine Sport Runoff, Maine Sport, Rockport, ME
July 28: CeMeNEMBA Mountain Bike Festival, Waterville, ME
August 10: 19th Annual Microbrew Mountain Bike Festival, Parsonsfield, ME
And, as you enjoy numerous and challenging rides this summer,
remember that trail conditions and maintenance do not happen
without volunteers. Contact those organizations behind your
favorite trails and volunteer for a trail day, offer to lead a ride or
work an event.
Happy trails!
PAGE 10
www.bikemaine.org
Summer 2012
Ask the Experts
Charley LaFlamme and John Brooking Explain Rules of the Road
A Beginner’s Guide to Gearing
Gearing is a topic that can quickly descend into technical terms like “gear inches” and
ratios and the various technologies available. At this point, the casual cyclist’s eyes
start to glaze over but it is useful information that every cyclist should know. So we
will attempt to condense the knowledge into some essential need-to-know tidbits,
delivered in (mostly) non-technical terminology.
Many people know at least the theory of operating a stick-shift car: Start out in first
gear and progress to higher gears as you speed up. The same theory holds when
you are on a bike. As one of our LCI colleagues puts it, “low, slow; high, spry!” If your
shifters have numbers, knowing how to shift is more straightforward but, like driving
a car, knowing when to shift is the challenging piece.
If your pedaling feels too easy, shift up to a higher number (i.e. harder) gear. If too
hard, shift down to a lower number (i.e. easier gear). It is recommended that you
maintain approximately an 80rpm pedaling cadence (cadence is
the number of revolutions of your pedals each minute).
You should feel some resistance on your pedals but
it should not be a struggle to move the pedal
nor should your legs be spinning out of control. The centrifugal force of the weight of
your legs alone should propel you forward
to save your knees from undue pressure.
Many beginners want to know “what number
gear should I use when?” Unfortunately,
there’s no single answer to that, due to the infinite
variability in both gear design and each person’s pedaling
ability. But in general, think lower/easier gears for starting up, going uphill, or fighting a headwind, and higher/harder gears in the opposite situations.
With practice and by paying attention to your pedaling effort, you will learn more
specifically which gears work best for you.
It does help to learn to anticipate a change, such as approaching an uphill section,
because it can be more difficult to shift if you are already pedaling hard. We also
recommend downshifting whenever you are approaching a stop. Some car drivers
like to downshift as they slow down, using the lower gears to help slow the car. On
a bike, downshifting won’t help you slow down but it will leave you in a low gear to
start again making this an important habit to develop. This is especially true if you
are riding in town where there are frequent red lights (which of course you stop for!).
Since it can be difficult to brake and downshift at the same time, we recommend you
think well ahead and leave yourself time to downshift first, then brake.
Even if you travel the same route, at the same time everyday, your shifting will rarely
be the same. Depending on the wind, your energy level, your strength, how much
you want to challenge yourself that day and many other factors, your gear choice will
change. A good rule of thumb however is that when your cadence suddenly drops or
increases, this is an indicator that you may have missed a shift. Being more aware of
your cadence and experience will help you anticipate your shifting needs.
Now that you have a better idea when to shift, knowing exactly how you shift deSummer 2012
pends on your bike. Most multi-speed bikes use derailleurs in the back, and often in the
front as well. Normally the right hand shift lever operates the back derailleur and the left
operates the front. On derailleur bikes, the gears will only shift when the chain is moving
so don’t try to shift while you’re stopped. It simply won’t work and will create a horrible
grinding noise when you start riding again which is bad for the hardware and your biking
reputation as you will no doubt be branded a “newbie!” Shifting is smoothest when you’re
not putting too much force on the pedals, so just ease off them momentarily to keep the
chain moving while you shift.
If you have more than one gear ring in the front, attached to the pedal, begin by deciding
which one is your “default,” the one whose range is most comfortable in most situations.
If you have three rings, it will almost certainly be the middle one. An easy way to tell
which gear you are in is to simply look down at the gears. If you can see the chain in the
sprocket wheel closest to the bike frame in the front and in the back, you are in
1st gear, the easiest/lowest gear. As the chain moves away from the
bike the gears go up. If you have just two, experiment to find
out. Then put the front ring in the default and keep it
there most of the time, only shifting the back gear, especially if you are just learning. Consider shifting the
front gear only for extreme wind or hill situations.
Those of you with 3 rings in front, brace yourself,
because here’s a small bit of technical talk, but it’s
good to know about: “crosschaining.” That’s when
your front gear is in the easiest setting but your back gear
is in the hardest setting, or vice-versa. When that happens,
the chain is not straight front to back, and that can make it wear out
faster and make noise. Just remember, it’s okay if you are in the middle front ring to
move your back gear freely. However, when using the front rings at their extreme ends
you should use the coordinating back gear: both in easiest gears or both in hardest gears.
Don’t mix.
Some bikes use “internal hub” gears instead of external gears. If you remember the old
3-speeds, that’s them. They are still available, along with 7 and 8-speed hubs and even
higher. These are all much simpler to operate than derailleurs. About the only thing
you need to remember is, unlike derailleur bikes, these bikes shift best when you aren’t
pedaling! So just coast for the second or so it takes you to shift. That’s really all you need
to know about them! You can even shift after you’ve stopped, eliminating the need for
downshifting as you slow, and the worry of braking at the same time.
There’s more that could be said, but these are the operating essentials. We hope this has
been useful in getting you started using your gears more smoothly and efficiently. As
always, please drop us a line if you have a specific question you have not seen us address.
Keep the rubber side down!
Charley LaFlamme, the coalition’s founder and a longtime board member, is a League Cycling
Instructor (LCI) with more than 35 years of experience teaching bicycle safety to children
and adults. John Brooking also is an LCI, a Cycling Savvy Instructor and a coalition board
member. Send your questions about safe bicycle driving to chazbikeed@maine.rr.com and
they will be answered in future columns.
www.bikemaine.org
PAGE 11
Explore Maine by Bike
by Dan Stewart MDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
Since you are reading this newsletter, you are aware
of the joys of bicycling. What enables this joy? Part
of the joy we experience while riding is because of the
beautiful scenery in Maine, including the trees, rivers,
coastal waters, birds, white puffy clouds, houses along
the way, historical buildings, and of course our interesting neighborhoods and village areas. When one is
riding a bike, the world around comes by at a pace that allows each of us to notice
the sounds, the uniqueness, and the small details of the environment around us.
So, how can each of us find areas to explore? Each of us can take our bike from
where we live and explore the areas within biking distance. On a recent bike ride
from my house, I noticed a path in the woods that I never would have noticed in a
car. I parked the bike, and within a five minute walk through a very peaceful forest, I found myself in awe at the base of a waterfall and gorge. This is an example
of the rewards of the explorer spirit that is enabled within, while on a bike.
Where else to ride? Well, MaineDOT, the Maine Office of Tourism, and the Bicycle
Coalition of Maine has partnered on the creation of a publication entitled “Explore
Maine by Bike, 33 Loop Bicycle Tours”. This extremely popular bike tour book and
website is organized by Maine’s Tourism Regions, and includes quality maps, cue
sheets, short and long ride options, a listing of off-road options, and also includes
important safety information, points of interest and historic sites.
The Website includes the ability to search tours by region, distance, type of terrain, and features such as beaches, low traffic, mountain views, etc. The book and
web include pictures from each tour as well. All tours and maps are available for
download and printing on the web at www.exploremaine.org/bike.
By the time you are reading this or very soon after, a hard copy of the Bike Book
may also be available by stopping by at one of the Maine Visitor Centers. If you
are interested in receiving a free hard copy of the book by mail, we would suggest
checking the following location on the web at www.visitmaine.com/guidebook/
and filling out the form to have a copy mailed to you. The books are expected to
be available for order sometime in June or July, so keep checking back!
If you have never taken the opportunity to bike on one of the State’s 10 foot wide
(flat) off-road bicycle and pedestrian trails, then I highly suggest giving it a try.
The Eastern Trail connects Kennebunk to the ocean in South Portland, with the
vast majority off-road. The DownEast Sunrise Trail is 85 miles long in Washington
and Hancock Counties. The Mountain Division Trail has a section connecting
Gorham, Windham, and Standish, and another in Fryeburg. The 7-mile-long
Kennebec River Rail Trail connects Augusta, Hallowell, Farmingdale, and Gardiner.
These scenic off-road trails are great for biking with family, friends, and children.
For a full listing of the off-road trails in Maine (Trail Report), as well as lots of
other important information, please visit the MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian
website at www.maine.gov/mdot/bikeped/.
Exploring Maine by bike creates memories, saves on transportation costs, helps
keep you healthy, and is full of fun and adventure! Please ride safely.
Dan Stewart may be reached at 624-3252.
PAGE 12
Maine Ranked Ninth Most
Bicycle Friendly State
In May, the League of American Bicyclists released their 5th annual “Bicycle Friendly
States” rankings and ranked Maine the ninth most bike friendly state in the nation.
Maine has ranked in the top 10 states since the ranking began in 2008; however, this
latest ranking represents a drop from 2011 when Maine was ranked the 2nd most bike
friendly state in the nation.
This year’s ranking is a sign that Maine’s efforts to strengthen
bicycle and pedestrian friendly legislation and increase legal
enforcement of bicycle safety laws must continue to increase.
These rankings are part science and part luck, so there is no particular reason for
Maine’s decline. Some of the explanation may lie in the fact that the League changed
their evaluation process this year. The League now ranks each state on these five areas:
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The new process resulted in some major reordering of states. States such as Massachusetts and Colorado have been hard at work for years to improve their bicycle
friendliness and the ranking recognized their success.
In their press release, the League notes that “Overall, we see states--and especially
Departments of Transportation and state legislatures--lagging behind cities and the
expectations of loyal cyclists, despite the many well-documented benefits of a more
active lifestyle.” The State of Maine must commit to legislative and infrastructure
advancements to maintain our leadership in this area.
While our comparative ranking decreased, the Coalition is confident Maine is making
significant progress in many of these areas. The Coalition’s most prominent education
and encouragement programs, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program
and the Safe Routes to School Program, supported by the Maine DOT, have expanded
their curriculum, moving beyond a “one size fits all” approach, and are impacting more
Mainers than ever.
The Coalition has reformulated and increased its work with law enforcement and in
the last year, has run three district trainings and nine town trainings to provide police
officers with information about bicycle law and assist them with understanding the
cyclist’s perspective on the road. In addition, the Coalition’s new website offers a new
“Incident Report Form” so more data about incidents where bicycling laws are not
being enforced can be collected and responded to appropriately.
Finally, in 2011 more bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects than ever were designed or built and interest in these projects from local communities is extremely high.
This year’s ranking is a sign that Maine’s efforts to strengthen bicycle and pedestrian
friendly legislation and increase legal enforcement of bicycle safety laws must
continue to increase. The Coalition is more committed than ever to making Maine
consistently one of the best states for bicycling.
www.bikemaine.org
Summer 2012
Wonderful Volunteers
Michael Montgomery of Vienna helps us in the office regularly.
Dave Wood of Hallowell helped us process bike registration forms after both Swaps.
Brian Allenby of Portland has been advising Coalition staff on optimizing our use of
social media.
The members of our 2012 event and BikeMaine committees are tireless in their efforts:
Women’s Ride
Dana McEwan (chair)
Heidi Alpern
Leanne Bard
Chris Benerman
Jessica Dupler
Bonnie Esposito
Pamela Fischer
Brooke Hamilton
Diane McGraw
Nancy Murphy
Linda Sheehy
Phyllis Wolfe
Lobster Ride
Jane Self (chair)
Melissa Arndt
David Auclair
Joel Fishman
James Gregg
Jon McMath
Joe Patten
Ken Pote
Ron Staschak
Dick Vermeulen
BikeMaine
Mark Ishkanian (chair)
Larry Rubinstein (ex officio)
John Balicki
Moe Bisson
Sue Ellen Bordwell
Phil Grondin
Cindy Orcutt
Dave Petzel
Kim True
Thomas Wilson
Calling All Volunteers
We need volunteers for the Lobster Ride & Roll in Rockland on July 21st!
Duties include parking cars, helping with day-of registration, flagging along
the course and staffing rest stops. If you can help, please contact Cecelia
Garton at cecelia@bikemaine.org, call 623-4511 or sign up on our website:
www.bikemaine.org
We Welcome Our
New Members
We welcome these new household members joining
from March through mid-May.
Carolyn Adams Cape Elizabeth
Michael Albert Greene
Reynaldo Arceo Madison
Charlene Batista Scarborough
Lynne Baumgras Scarborough
James Baumer Portland
Douglas Beck North Monmouth
Joyce Marie Beckley Auburn
Tina Bernier Pittsfield
Paulette Bonneau Biddeford
David Briggs Ellsworth
James Brown Bowdoinham
John Brown Camden
Steven Capriola Portland
Larry Childs Farmington
Kelly Cochrane Brunswick
Elizabeth Eudy Lincolnville
Maureen Fauske Topsham
William Fenn Washington
Summer 2012
John Fink Ellsworth
Bruce Forsley Portland
Vanessa Frey Boston, MA
Patrick Gagnon Litchfield
Mark Geoffroy Cumberland
Gregory Goodwill South Portland
Ellen Green Saco
Cecilia Guadalupi Augusta
Heather Hamlin Orono
Dave Hathaway Auburn
Parker Hudson Blue Hill
Priscilla Ireland Bangor
Kate Kneeland Windham
David LeBow Cape Elizabeth
Kelly Locke South Portland
Melissa Lundgren South Portland
Troy Moon Portland
Tom Murray Portland
Diane Newman Portland
Michie O’Day Portland
Linda Ostermann Oakland
Rachel Potter Portland
Kate Prideaux Westbrook
Coleen Pudlo Sanford
Sammee Quong Manchester
Michele Rowe Standish
David Roy Winterport
Kevin Sample Portland
Tony Scucci Portland
Laura Sewall Phippsburg
Ann Simmons Calais
LK Smith Augusta
Laura Smith South Portland
Deni Tirrell South Portland
Dan Wehr Portland
Laura Young Cape Elizabeth
1Join
2
the Bicycle Coalition of Maine if you are not
yet a member (use form on page 14).
additional contribution
Send an
via our website www.bikemaine.org.
10 Ways You Can Support Better Biking in Maine!
Many Thanks to Our
3
Support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine through
MaineShare.
The BCM is one of 37 statewide nonprofit organizations working
to prevent and solve various environmental, social, health, and
justice problems in Maine. If your workplace doesn’t offer
Maineshare for payroll contributions, contact MaineShare at
622-0105 to find out more or visit www.maineshare.org.
4
Support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine through
United Way.
If your employer only offers United Way, you can earmark
your contribution to go to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
5
matching gifts.
Take advantage of
Many employers offer to match charitable contributions
made by their employees. Please let us know if your workplace has such a program and we’ll handle the necessary
paperwork.
6Donate stocks
or other securities.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible to
the extent allowed by IRS law.
Volunteer. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has
7
many programs and tasks that depend on volunteers to be successful. Call our office to find out
how you can help.
Get your company or business to contribute to the
Coalition. Whether it is a cash or in-kind contribution
or sponsorship, the Coalition has many needs for
business support.
8
Consider helping us line up a donation.
9Encourage your friends
to join the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. We’ll happily send
them information or provide you with brochures, bumper
stickers, newsletters, etc., so you can personally ask them
to help the movement.
10bequest
Include the Bicycle Coalition of Maine in your will.
A
to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine
will provide long-term support for advocacy to bring
better biking to everyone.
The following wording will suffice: “I give to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, a
Maine nonprofit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes
whose office is located at 341 Water Street, Augusta, ME 04330, the sum of
$____ (or specify property). Contact the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for more
details.
www.bikemaine.org
PAGE 13
CORPORATE
MEMBER
These clubs support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s work
with annual memberships of $150 or more.
Allspeed Cyclery & Ski
Portland 878-8741
Ernie’s Cycle Shop
Westbrook 854-4090
LL Bean Bike, Boat & Ski Store
Freeport 877-755-2326
Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop*
Bar Harbor 288-3886
Freeman’s Bicycle Service
Portland 347-1577
Pat’s Bike Shop
Brewer 989-2900
Bath Cycle & Ski
Woolwich 442-7002
Freeport Ski & Bike
Freeport 865-0523
Rainbow Bicycle & Fitness
Auburn 784-7576
Belfast Bicycles
Belfast 388-0008
Gorham Bike & Ski
Portland 773-1700
Saco 283-2453
Rose Bike
Orono 800-656-3525
Cadillac Mountain Sports
Bar Harbor 288-4532
Ellsworth 667-7819
Ski Rack Sports
Bangor 800-698-6474
Jerry’s Bike Barn
Berwick 752-0580
Center Street Cycles
Brunswick 729-5309
Kingdom Bikes
Blue Hill 374-3230
Cycle Mania*
Portland 774-2933
Kittery Trading Post
Kittery 587-6246
*Yellow Jersey Club member
You can support our member bike shops by getting
your bicycle tuned during the winter. That helps shops
stay busy during the quieter months, and ensures your
bike will be ready to ride as soon as the snow melts.
MEMBER BUSINESSES
American Diabetes Association
Portland 888-DIABETES
Portland Eye Care*
Portland 253-3333
Body Symmetry
Brunswick 729-1122
ReVision Energy
Portland 232-6595
Bread & Roses Bakery
Ogunquit 646-4227
Rinck Advertising
Auburn 755-9470
Downeast Bicycle Specialists*
Fryeburg 935-4242
Shipyard Brewing Company*
Portland 761-0807
Duratherm Corporation*
Vassalboro 872-5558
VBT Bicycling Vacations*
Bristol VT 800-245-3868
Casco Bay Bicycle Club
Portland www.cascobaybicycleclub.org
Community Cycling Club of Portland
www.BikeCCCP.org
Downeast Bicycle Club
Bar Harbor www.downeastbicycleclub.com
Maine Coast Cycling Club
Kennebunkport www.mainecoastcycling.com
Maine Cycling Club
Auburn www.mainecyclingclub.com
Merrymeeting Wheelers
Brunswick www.merrymeetingwheelers.org
Portland Velo Club
Portland www.portlandvelo.com
Bicycle Coalition Offers
Student Membership
These businesses support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s work with annual memberships
of $250 or above. A complete list of member businesses is posted at www.bikemaine.org.
Flatbread Company
Portland 772-8777
Belfast Bicycle Club
Belfast www.belfastbicycleclub.org
MEMBER BIKE CLUBS
MEMBER BIKE SHOPS
These bike shops support the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s work with annual memberships of $250 or above. Please
thank them for their support of the Coalition when you’re in their shop. A complete list of member bike shops is posted
at www.bikemaine.org.
If you are a college student, chances are you don’t
have a lot of extra cash. But
you’re likely to ride a bicycle, and we want you to
join the Bicycle Coalition of
Maine. We welcome your ideas, and we need your
voice to strengthen our efforts
to improve bicycling in the state.
*Yellow Jersey Club member
Planet Bike
Madison, WI 608-256-8510
That’s why we started a new Student Membership.
For just $10 per year, you can
receive all of the benefits of belonging to the Bicyc
le Coalition, including regular
e-updates with Maine bicycling news, our quarterly
newsmagazine, “Maine
Cyclist,” and discounts at our events and at member
bike shops.
A student membership would make a great gift for
high school graduates who
are headed to college in the fall. To find out more
and to sign up, please visit
www.bikemaine.org/membership.
Poland Spring Water
Louisville, KY 800-955-4426
INVEST IN BETTER BICYCLING TODAY!
Please show your support and contribute to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine
$1,000 Yellow Jersey Club
(receive limited edition Yellow
Jersey, other benefits)
$250 Leader
(receive Lighthouse jersey)
$125 Sustainer
(receive water bottle and T-shirt)
$75 Advocate
(choose water bottle ___
or shirt size:
)
$35 Supporter
$10 Student
PAGE 14
www.bikemaine.org
Give $75 and receive
our new T-shirt
SHIRT SIZE:
mens
womens
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XL
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Summer 2012
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Yellow Jersey Club
Our Yellow Jersey Club is a community of members who have chosen to support better bicycling in Maine at the incredibly generous level of $1,000
or more. Members who choose to give at the Yellow Jersey Club level believe that a significant contribution to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine is a
worthy investment in our past, present and future successes.
In addition to receiving the yellow jersey featuring our new logo, members of the Yellow Jersey Club lead the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll. For more
information about joining the Yellow Jersey Club, please contact Nancy Grant at 623-4511 or nancy@bikemaine.org.
Yellow Jersey Club Members
Harry Ankers Sunnyvale CA
Sue Ellen Bordwell + William Richards Yarmouth
Philip Coffin + Susan Peck Portland
Melville P. Dickenson Hanover NH
Dan Emery North Yarmouth
Miles Epstein + Susan George San Franscisco CA
Leon + Lisa Gorman Yarmouth
Ellen Grant + Kevin Carley Portland
Nancy Grant + Mike Boyson Portland
Bruce Forsley of Shipyard Brewing Company is proud to be part of the Bicycle Coalition
of Maine’s Yellow Jersey Club.
Karen Herold + Mark Isaacson Cumberland
Bruce Forsley of Shipyard Brewing Company
Mark + Ginger Ishkanian Readfield
Herbert Janick Cape Elizabeth
Returning to biking was a happy accident for Bruce Forsley, Director of Sales and Marketing at
Shipyard Brewing Company. When the Brewery purchased a new Saab, the dealership happened to be having a promotion that included a mountain bike with every new car purchase. “I
hadn’t been biking in years and decided this was my chance!” Bruce and his wife enjoy exploring
the city on Portland Trails or, for a little adventure, biking the old logging trails in Maine’s woods.
Harold + Brigitte Kingsbury Cape Elizabeth
“Mountain biking in Maine is great,” Bruce says, “because you don’t have to go too far or look to
hard to find exactly what you’re looking for - a thrill, a challenge or a lazy Sunday afternoon ride.”
Bruce is also an avid runner and participates in races all around the country. With a team of 11
others, Bruce recently completed the Ragnar Relay from Miami to Key West.
Tom Murray Portland
Bruce, and the rest of the team at Shipyard, brings this active lifestyle to work every day by
helping to sponsor a number of active events around Maine like the Old Port Half Marathon,
Portland’s Trails to Ales and the Tri for a Cure, “We want people to have fun out on the race course
and there’s just something about a nice cold beer at the finish line that makes the day complete.”
It is obvious from speaking with Bruce, that Shipyard is incredibly grateful to the loyalty their
Maine customers have shown them. Giving back to the community that has given them so much
is something the company is committed to doing. As a Yellow Jersey Club business member,
Shipyard is thrilled to support the work of the Coalition, “The Bicycle Coalition of Maine fits
perfectly into our mission to support active lifestyles and this great state of Maine.”
In addition to promoting active lifestyles, Bruce is proud to support the Coalition’s work on safe
cycling. With his office situated in the heart of downtown Portland, he understands the concerns
about both cyclists and motorists being well-educated on the rules of the road, “At Shipyard, we
are very excited to partner with the Coalition as an organization that supports the important
balance of being active and staying safe.”
Summer 2012
www.bikemaine.org
Dan Kovarik Portland
Richard Long Orono
John + Anne Marshall Addison
Jeffrey Miller Washington DC
John Poirier + Laurie McReel Oakland
Scott + Ponee Roberts Gorham
Larry + Robin Rubinstein Scarborough
Peter + Kerry Rubinstein New York NY
Jeff Saffer Cape Elizabeth
Amy Schoenbaum Brookline MA
Jane Self + Ken Pote Camden
Cynthia Sortwell South Portland
Scott Spaulding + Pamela Fischer New Gloucester
Ellen Sudow + Joseph Higdon Washington DC
Austin Watts Bowdoin
Mark + Kitty Wheeler Woolwich
Nancy + Bill White Bethel
Garth + Nancy Wilbanks Winterport
John + Loren Wright Woolwich
PAGE 15
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www.bikemaine.org
www.facebook.com/bicyclecoalitionmaine
Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Lobster Ride & Roll Chosen as one
of America’s Top 10 Century Rides by Bicycling Magazine
Bicycling Magazine, a monthly publication with readership over 2 million, just chose the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Lobster
Ride & Roll, held in Rockland on July 21, as one of America’s Top Century Rides. Bicycling Magazine chose the Lobster ride as
one of the most “engaging” century rides in the county thanks to the unique Maine scenery and the ride’s festivities including
the blessing from the Lobster Queen and the celebratory lobster roll feast at the end of the ride.
This year marks the 11th anniversary of the event. In addition to the 100-mile ride, the event includes 16, 30 and 50-mile
options along some of Maine’s most idyllic back roads. “This event is so much more than a bike ride,” says Executive Director,
Nancy Grant, “It is a celebration of bike riding. Families, teams and competitive cyclists alike can enjoy the unique setting and
festive atmosphere at the Lobster Ride.” It is also the Coalition’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Registration for the event is now open at the Coalition’s website www.bikemaine.org. Registrants receive the famous Lobster
Ride bike socks and admission to local museums free with registration. The ride also features full ride support and rest stops,
delicious food options and post-ride showers.
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